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Post by Rangis Mukondo on Jul 26, 2008 22:52:42 GMT
Raul nodded. "Yes, she's got quite the set of skills. She's quite good with Kido, and a Zanpakuto, but she's also got more smarts than, well, than I've ever dreamed of having." He laughed, and reached over, taking one of the tarts and biting into it.
"Though where is your husband? Not that I mean to sound awkward or anything, but I had been looking forward to meeting Zuki's parents at some point. After all, you've done quite well raising her, obviously. You two must be honorable people." He smiled, and glanced at Zuki. He hated awkward situations like this. Normally, he'd simply take his leave, but he knew Zuki's parents wanted to see her, and he didn't have the heart to simply leave.
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Post by Tsukiyo Kyohaku on Jul 26, 2008 23:31:02 GMT
Zuki dropped her tart. Sure he had actually complimented her, though she couldn't decide whether it was just to impress her mother or to actually compliment her. Either way it didn't matter, he had awoken the 'forbidden subject'. Her fist clenched.
Her mother was sitting at the end of the table, stiff as a board. "Yes well...my husband is in the Central 46, he'll be home in about half an hour. He works a lot, often to busy for anything. But thank you for asking. She grabbed a tea pot. "We do our best here. More tea?" She held it up. True her husband could be home anytime and she doubted Tsukiyo would take that lightly. She didn't think Tatsuo would have the nerve to disrespect Raul Shihouin but she knew Zuki would have the nerve to disrespect her father in front of Raul Shihouin.
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Post by Rangis Mukondo on Jul 26, 2008 23:38:19 GMT
Raul felt the temperature in the room drop about 2 degrees upon mention of her father. Obviously, this subject was taboo, at least to Zuki. Though, this only piqued Raul's curiosity. Raul almost wanted to stay, if only to meet the man. But he knew Zuki wanted to go. Torn in two, he decided to keep up the conversation. "Working in Central 46 is quite a good occupation. After all, they're the one's that coordinate the Gotei 13. Without them, it would be harder by far for us to get anything done."
He looked from Zuki, to her mother. Both seemed quite uncomfortable at this point. He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. He had not meant to bring up such a subject.
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Post by Tsukiyo Kyohaku on Jul 26, 2008 23:55:15 GMT
Zuki looked up at Raul. "Yeah. It is." She muttered only as a whisper. She took another bite of tart. "Delicious...mother." She set the food down. Tension was building in the room at a rapid rate. Raul knew it, her mother knew it. She was used to tension in this house, it was a common factor when she was home.
Mizu stood up. "Well. Yes." Was all she could say, partially agreeing with her daughter. She put some cookies on the table. Whenever she was depressed she became more of an over-bearing house wife than she already was. She returned to her seat. "Is there anything you need Raul? I can get you anything you want."
The sound of a door opening and closing filled the main house. The hearts of both the women pounded. "Mizu! I'm home!" A rough voice called out. Obviously he had noticed the extra sets of shoes. A swift movement and he was in the room. A tall man with dark brown hair and deep purple eyes. He was strong and intimidating. He looked from his wife, to his daughter and then to Raul. "Well...this is a surprise."
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Post by Rangis Mukondo on Jul 27, 2008 0:27:59 GMT
Raul heard someone enter the house. Someone who could only be Zuki's father. As the man entered the room, Raul smiled politely. He stood, bowing low to the man. "Hello, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you." He said, his voice ever as singsong as it was when he had met Zuki's mother. Walking over to the man, he held out his hand for a handshake. "I'm afraid I may be overstaying my welcome. Zuki had come here to say hello to the two of you, and I offered to come. I'd always been quite interested in the Kyohaku House. To be perfectly honest, I'm thrilled to be here."
He let the smile linger on his lips. Raul wasn't sure how the man would react, but he certainly hoped Zuki did not get into any trouble for what he'd done. If she did, Raul was afraid he'd have to intervene. After all, he had been the one to suggest staying here for a bit...
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Post by Tsukiyo Kyohaku on Jul 27, 2008 0:54:18 GMT
Zuki stared at her feet. Worst, day, ever. She made a small bow to her father as he entered the room. "You lie Raul Shihouin." He shook his hand. "But you lie well, that's good. My daughter would not have come if she knew she had to stay." He didn't look at Zuki. "So what really brings you to me home, Shihouin-dono." He leaned against the wall behind him.
Mizu grabbed the food and storred it, moving to her daughters side. They were both watching the men. "Honey. You know what I say about-" He put up his hand to silence her. "Our daughter is heir to this clan. I'll do what I think is best for her wellfare."
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Post by Rangis Mukondo on Jul 27, 2008 1:00:56 GMT
Raul raised his eyebrows as he silenced his wife, and put his hand up, pulling down her father's hand. "Kyohaku-san, please, it bothers me to see your wife silenced so. She's been quite kind to me, I'd like to hear her if she wishes to speak." He smiled, and his tone was perfectly polite, but Raul looked the man straight in the eyes, making his point perfectly clear.
"Tell me, how is business at Central 46 these days? As I was saying earlier, it's quite an honorable profession. You do us a great service by working on such matters..."
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Post by Tsukiyo Kyohaku on Jul 27, 2008 1:11:43 GMT
Mister Kyohaku stared at Raul, almost like a glare. This man was undermining him, he couldn't stand it. "My profession is noble, I agree. Seireitei would be nothing without me." He glanced at his wife. "Though women can be captains, Central 46 is only for-"
"Father that's quite enough!"Zuki moved towards him. "If your going to insist on calling yourself nobility than at least act like it!" She stared her father straight in ther eyes, the cold blue of hers contrasting the dark purple of his.
Mizu practically jumped. She could understand why Tsukiyo would be enraged but she was reprimanding her own father. Could she really do that? On the other hand she most likely had the backing of Raul Shihouin on this one.
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Post by Rangis Mukondo on Jul 27, 2008 1:19:00 GMT
Raul tilted his head. "Zuki..." He said, waving his hand, "Sit down. If he believes only men can do certain activities, then let it be a man to tell him what I want him to hear."
He continued on. "Please, Kyohaku-san, don't disgrace nobility by comparing us to yourself, who happens to be acting like a chauvinistic pig. Please, don't allow yourself to fall into the misconception that, because Zuki, or your wife, are women, they are any less than men. Please, don't insult me by believing that I will stand idly by, and watch such conduct. And please, don't think Central 46 is the most important thing you could be doing. As a Captain, Zuki is serving Soul Society more than you could ever possibly serve it. And as a human, she trumps you as well. Perhaps, when you realize a few of your mistakes, and the key points of this argument seep into that thick skull of yours, then perhaps I will allow you to call yourself a noble. Until then, your wife and daughter fall into the category of nobility, and you fall into the category of pathetic."
He paused for a moment, letting the words sink in. "Now, I want you to apologize to both your wife and your daughter for your behavior. I don't give a damn if you mean it, I want to hear you say it. After all, I hold much sway between the Noble Houses. You wouldn't want it getting out that Tatsuo Kyohaku is an imbecile, and shouldn't be given the time of day, would you?"
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Post by Tsukiyo Kyohaku on Jul 27, 2008 13:58:44 GMT
Zuki listened to Raul. Was he defending her? She's have to thank him later. Everything her said sounded so noble, so wonderful. She might try being nice to him later. If only because of these vallant words. The more he spoke the more she began to respect him. In these past few weeks he had saved her in more ways that one, even though she didn't want to admit it. She could tell fury was bubbling up inside of her father, fury, rage, sadness, hate, regret, guilt. All at once. "Get out of my house!" She was shocked. Never, ever would she expect him to be so comanding. "And stay away from my daughter! Tsukiyo, you are never permitted to see this man outside normal activities ever again!"
She blinked a few times, than a few more times. Now she, herself, was completely enrage. "What have you done to be able to tell me to do so? Raul saved my life and if you actually gave a shit you'd know that! For gods sake father what is wrong with you! You were only sad Roren was taken because you knew if you had waited a little longer it would've been Aiji and you wouldn't have guilt on your shoulders! I'm not blind!" She held up the back of her hand to him, a silver ring gleaming on her ring finger, before storming out of the room.
Mizu made a move to follow her daughter but decided against it. "I'm so foolish." He muttered, slumping in a chair. "Well I'm glad we're finally on the same page." She said, leaving the room in the opposite direction of Zuki.
"I do love my daughter Raul. She is everything to me. I've made mistakes."
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Post by Rangis Mukondo on Jul 27, 2008 17:17:55 GMT
Raul sighed. "I didn't say those things to be...to be unreasonable. I apologize for my tone. But, truly, you must see what you're doing." He walked closer to Tatsuo, holding his palms up, the universal sign of peace. "If you truly care about your daughter, let her make her own decisions. Let her learn from her mistakes. When my mother passed away, I mourned her for years, because she set me on the right path, and then let me create the rest of the trek."
He shook his head. "If you wish for me to leave, I shall. For this is your house, and I hold no sway here. But truly, mend your relationship with Tsukiyo. For your daughter has achieved so much. She's one of the greatest Captains in the Gotei 13. She trumps me in most activities, in spite of my advanced training. Surely, she has earned your trust." He chuckled. "She's one of a kind, your daughter. And even if you two may be on differing ends of each argument, I still respect you, at least for the fact that you do, as much as it may be hard to see, care for your daughter..."
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Post by Tsukiyo Kyohaku on Jul 27, 2008 18:13:18 GMT
Tatsuo nodded. "You are, of course, correct. I'm just worried something will happen to her. She's going to be head of this clan some day and if she dies...well, my neices and nephews are rats. Besides, she's my daughter. I'm sure she'll do fine in anything she trys." He looked up at Raul. "But if anything happens to her I blame you. Now, I know you didn't come to Kyohaku Manor just to talk to a grumpy old man. She's in the Rose Garden. Always is when she's mad." He walked solemly out of the room. "And you owe me some sake."
Zuki sat on a bench tapping her feet on the ground, white roses all around her.
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Post by Rangis Mukondo on Jul 27, 2008 18:16:31 GMT
Raul smiled sheepishly. So he had guessed about the Sake....damnit....
Walking outside, he found Zuki, right where her father had suggested she would be. He sat down next to her. "As much as, on the outside, the man might seem like he doesn't care...the love is there, Zuki. He's just overprotective."
He knew she wouldn't believe him. Or perhaps she would believe him, but that would not excuse what her father had done. Either way, Raul knew he wasn't the one who needed to resolve this. "Your father has made some mistakes, and he regrets them. But, without a doubt, he's always only thought of what is best for you. He may have also had the Clan in mind, but that's to be expected..."
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Post by Tsukiyo Kyohaku on Jul 27, 2008 20:52:46 GMT
Zuki looked at him. "Yeah, I know. My fathers a pig, it's far to easy to decifer. I know he's got a heart, he's my father! If it weren't for my parents I'd still be a no good in 80th district but I'm a captain in the Gotei 13. They should get more credit than I give them, especially Father. Naturally he would have the clan in mind too...if you met the rest of my family you'd know why," She smirked.
The other members of the Kyohaku clan lived in the surrounding land around the Manor. Many of them didn't like her, because she was adopted. If she hadn't been adopted by the head of the clan their own children, or themselves, would have been head. Tough luck for them. Most of them were married by now, almost none of them were shinigami. She stood out, being the adopted, unmarried captain. Just the way she liked it. "I understand how he feels...I just don't get the actions he takes."
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Post by Rangis Mukondo on Jul 27, 2008 21:03:39 GMT
Raul nodded. "I know the feeling. As much as no one truly objected to me being Head of the Clan, they object now. The Shihouin Clan, apparently, should be represented with pride." He sighed. "Mother always said you didn't need to be loved to do the right thing, but it's much harder to put into practice." He paused for a moment, and then spoke, his tone neutral. "I didn't know...didn't know Aiji meant so much to you. I could tell you two were in love, but..." He shook it off. "It's none of my business, either way. After all, what have I loved?" He laughed. "It's always been either training or Sake with me. Don't take any of my advice."
He stood up. "This place is certainly beautiful..." He said, changing the subject. "The roses are certainly in bloom."
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